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Bliss More: How to Succeed in Meditation Without Really Trying
From one of America’s top meditation teachers comes a revolutionarily simple approach to everyday practice—especially if you don’t think you have the time or the patience.
Imagine you’re sitting on a cushion with your legs crossed, ready to tap into unlimited joy. There’s just one You can’t get comfortable (let alone still), and your head is full of way too many thoughts.
The problem is not with meditation, or you, though—the issue may be with your approach.
When properly understood and practiced, meditation should feel easy, calming, and comfortable. In Bliss More, maverick instructor Light Watkins provides the tools for making it E.A.S.Y. (Embrace, Accept, Surrender, Yield), dispels the biggest myths and misunderstandings, and shares real-world tips and straight talk for hacking into this ancient practice. The a happier and healthier you, inside and out. Watkins also shares candid testimonials from people whose lives have been enriched through his method, and extensive resources for transforming a daily chore into an enjoyable activity. Even the biggest skeptic will look forward to sitting for meditation every day.
Whether you’re a novice or experienced practitioner, Bliss More will shed light on the path to a clearer mind, better sleep, and more bliss in everyday life.
Imagine you’re sitting on a cushion with your legs crossed, ready to tap into unlimited joy. There’s just one You can’t get comfortable (let alone still), and your head is full of way too many thoughts.
The problem is not with meditation, or you, though—the issue may be with your approach.
When properly understood and practiced, meditation should feel easy, calming, and comfortable. In Bliss More, maverick instructor Light Watkins provides the tools for making it E.A.S.Y. (Embrace, Accept, Surrender, Yield), dispels the biggest myths and misunderstandings, and shares real-world tips and straight talk for hacking into this ancient practice. The a happier and healthier you, inside and out. Watkins also shares candid testimonials from people whose lives have been enriched through his method, and extensive resources for transforming a daily chore into an enjoyable activity. Even the biggest skeptic will look forward to sitting for meditation every day.
Whether you’re a novice or experienced practitioner, Bliss More will shed light on the path to a clearer mind, better sleep, and more bliss in everyday life.
195 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 23, 2018
352 people are currently reading
1288 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
April 22, 2018
A really wonderful, practical approach to meditation that is accessible and inspiring simultaneously. I really enjoyed it and immediately started implementing the principles. The style Watkins uses for meditation is basically a version of mantra-based meditation like TM, yet it lacks a lot of the more questionable facets of that movement. His version of meditation is something akin to relaxed thought, unfocused presence, and allowing oneself to experience the bliss of human experience. He invites us to experience our thoughts without judgment, and to cultivate a “settled mind” that bleeds into the rest of our everyday lives, making us more tolerant, at-peace, and ready to receive.
The book sways slightly and rarely toward some lofty claims (it takes Emoto’s water claims at face value, for example, though those experiments have been solidly debunked), but these asides are few and far between, and I didn’t find them distracting. In fact, he often tempers them with a note that those claims are not accepted by all. Overall, I think spiritually-minded and scientifically-minded people can all appreciate this lovely book.
The book sways slightly and rarely toward some lofty claims (it takes Emoto’s water claims at face value, for example, though those experiments have been solidly debunked), but these asides are few and far between, and I didn’t find them distracting. In fact, he often tempers them with a note that those claims are not accepted by all. Overall, I think spiritually-minded and scientifically-minded people can all appreciate this lovely book.
August 8, 2018
"My meditation is better than your meditation" might be a better subtitle.
I struggled over how to rate this one. On the one hand, the meditation does work. I have added two 20 minutes mantra meditations to my 1.5 to 2 hour daily practice. (NOTE: there is no such thing as "over meditating"... unless you are neglecting responsibilities to yourself or family. Science provides solid evidence that the more you meditate, the better. But then, there is also good science showing as little 20 minutes a day can have a profound impact on you.) I find this particular form of meditation effective. It goes well with my breath, body scan, walking, eating, and metta (Loving kindness) meditations. Add to that the fact that I like Light Watkins. I heard him on Dan Harris's 10% Happier podcast and he really comes off as a nice guy.
On the other, the book is annoying in so many places. First, it has a strong tendency to mock other meditation forms. It is clear to me Light doesn't really know much about them, so I assume he is just relying on TM propaganda and dogma to form his opinions. I don't think he intentionally misrepresent them, although misrepresent them he does.
And the book is not great on science. After making fun of the thousands (yes, thousands) of scientific studies showing the benefits of mindfulness mediation, he cites one 40+ year old study on transcendental meditation. In addition, he makes one unsubstantiated claim (meditation improves the 6th Sense? Seriously?) after another with zero scientific evidence. But then, I've heard many authors on meditation make similar New Age type claims, so I'm not sure why it bothers me so much here. Maybe because he belittles other teachers and traditions? But if you want to see some solid science on meditation that sifts out the wheat from the chaff, check out Altered Traits, by Danny Goleman and Richie Davidson.
All that said, I still give this book 3 stars. It is worth a read. We are all different. Just as we have different learning styles, so too will we find different meditation forms useful. Maybe you have tried other meditation styles and teachers and having trouble finding traction, and maybe this one will work for you. Or, maybe like me you just want to add to and round out your current practice. Or maybe you are curious about TM (don't go for this book to understand traditional vedic meditation. It isn't about that. This is very much TM).
Just ignore what Light says about other traditions. Because he doesn't know what he is talking about. Pay attention to the actual meditation instructions, instead. If you do, I think you will find it usefull.
I struggled over how to rate this one. On the one hand, the meditation does work. I have added two 20 minutes mantra meditations to my 1.5 to 2 hour daily practice. (NOTE: there is no such thing as "over meditating"... unless you are neglecting responsibilities to yourself or family. Science provides solid evidence that the more you meditate, the better. But then, there is also good science showing as little 20 minutes a day can have a profound impact on you.) I find this particular form of meditation effective. It goes well with my breath, body scan, walking, eating, and metta (Loving kindness) meditations. Add to that the fact that I like Light Watkins. I heard him on Dan Harris's 10% Happier podcast and he really comes off as a nice guy.
On the other, the book is annoying in so many places. First, it has a strong tendency to mock other meditation forms. It is clear to me Light doesn't really know much about them, so I assume he is just relying on TM propaganda and dogma to form his opinions. I don't think he intentionally misrepresent them, although misrepresent them he does.
And the book is not great on science. After making fun of the thousands (yes, thousands) of scientific studies showing the benefits of mindfulness mediation, he cites one 40+ year old study on transcendental meditation. In addition, he makes one unsubstantiated claim (meditation improves the 6th Sense? Seriously?) after another with zero scientific evidence. But then, I've heard many authors on meditation make similar New Age type claims, so I'm not sure why it bothers me so much here. Maybe because he belittles other teachers and traditions? But if you want to see some solid science on meditation that sifts out the wheat from the chaff, check out Altered Traits, by Danny Goleman and Richie Davidson.
All that said, I still give this book 3 stars. It is worth a read. We are all different. Just as we have different learning styles, so too will we find different meditation forms useful. Maybe you have tried other meditation styles and teachers and having trouble finding traction, and maybe this one will work for you. Or, maybe like me you just want to add to and round out your current practice. Or maybe you are curious about TM (don't go for this book to understand traditional vedic meditation. It isn't about that. This is very much TM).
Just ignore what Light says about other traditions. Because he doesn't know what he is talking about. Pay attention to the actual meditation instructions, instead. If you do, I think you will find it usefull.
January 10, 2018
This is the first book I've ever read that is exclusively about meditation. I'm glad I read it. It's not the first and last word about meditation, but it's a good start to get past some initial barriers. If you're an experienced meditator and you have a routine that works for you, you probably don't need this book. Unless you're looking for a gift for someone who is interested in meditation but having trouble getting over some mental barriers to begin.
April 24, 2020
Great book on how to perform meditation simply and what you can expect from this practice. I have explored many meditation methods and Light Watkins insight seems to be the most practical approach that I have found. A good read if you are interested in exploring this practice.
February 26, 2019
I have to thank Light Watkins for inspiring me to start a real and consistent meditation practice. I like this attitude and style and really enjoyed the first half of the book. I found myself flipping through the remainder of the book, feeling like I had read it already, felt repetitive. But I’m glad I read it.
November 4, 2018
Short and simple. This book is about a different type of meditation (more akin to TM though he says you can't learn TM from a book so doesn't claim that it is that exactly) than the Concentration type that seems to be most popular these days (MBCT, Headspace, noting thoughts, etc.)
I haven't actually tried the technique, since my meditation time is going to Headspace at the moment, but I am intrigued. I put Bob Roth's book on hold at the library but I suspect that this one is the go-to for putting this type of meditation into practice quickly and easily.
No "woo woo" stuff here, and Watkins is engaging as he shares his experience and knowledge.
I'm not even sure why I'm giving it 4 instead of 5 stars, as I can't point to any flaws-- maybe I would like to see more depth, but the book does a good job of what it sets out to do, inform without overwhelming.
I haven't actually tried the technique, since my meditation time is going to Headspace at the moment, but I am intrigued. I put Bob Roth's book on hold at the library but I suspect that this one is the go-to for putting this type of meditation into practice quickly and easily.
No "woo woo" stuff here, and Watkins is engaging as he shares his experience and knowledge.
I'm not even sure why I'm giving it 4 instead of 5 stars, as I can't point to any flaws-- maybe I would like to see more depth, but the book does a good job of what it sets out to do, inform without overwhelming.
May 24, 2024
Do less in meditation and accomplish more than you think is possible.
Sit comfortably. Use an easy to see timing device. Sit for ten to twenty minutes. Close your eyes. Passively think the sound ah-hum. Let yourself simultaneously get lost in your thoughts. When you remember that you are meditating, passively begin thinking ah-hum again.
Meditation is not just restful but deeply restful. There are significant decreases in the heart rate, oxygen consumption, respiratory rate, and blood pressure.
Mindfulness is the byproduct of daily meditation.
Sit comfortably. Use an easy to see timing device. Sit for ten to twenty minutes. Close your eyes. Passively think the sound ah-hum. Let yourself simultaneously get lost in your thoughts. When you remember that you are meditating, passively begin thinking ah-hum again.
Meditation is not just restful but deeply restful. There are significant decreases in the heart rate, oxygen consumption, respiratory rate, and blood pressure.
Mindfulness is the byproduct of daily meditation.
May 12, 2024
One of my goals/ aspirations is to mediate because I have read so many positive results it has. I have used guided apps for years but it has never truly become a daily habit. Bliss More is the most simple guide to mediation and how to stick with it. No judgements, no good or bad meditation days. Any meditation is good, skipping meditation is bad. 20 minutes 2x a day using the "E.A.S.Y' method.
I have committed to just once a day (for now) first thing in the morning. I am on day 13 consistently meditating. I wake up now and it's the first thing I want to do. I am also slowly learning how to meditate vs. scrolling through my phone when I have a few idle moments. Work in progress but I now feel better equipped to meditate for the long run.
"Doing what feels most natural while completely surrendering to the end result, knowing that you can never go wrong if your intentions are pure and your thoughts , words and actions are no longer being dictated by your body's stresses.
There are two ways to approach life; do more and accomplish less, or do less and accomplish more."
I have committed to just once a day (for now) first thing in the morning. I am on day 13 consistently meditating. I wake up now and it's the first thing I want to do. I am also slowly learning how to meditate vs. scrolling through my phone when I have a few idle moments. Work in progress but I now feel better equipped to meditate for the long run.
"Doing what feels most natural while completely surrendering to the end result, knowing that you can never go wrong if your intentions are pure and your thoughts , words and actions are no longer being dictated by your body's stresses.
There are two ways to approach life; do more and accomplish less, or do less and accomplish more."
July 4, 2018
This book is a great introduction to meditation. Light Watkins helps coach newbies (like myself) with tried-and-tested meditation techniques. Light demystifies meditation, shatters the myths and backs up the benefits with science in layman's terms (thankfully). Now, there's no more excuses for not meditating everyday – anymore.
August 10, 2021
Wow. This book is so helpful for guiding us to more peaceful lives. If you have a meditation practice already, but struggle with "distracting thoughts," or if you want to start a meditation practice, I highly recommend this book. The information in it really did lead me to bliss more.
April 6, 2018
Please see my review at Amazon. com under C. Wong. Thank you.
April 12, 2018
An easy read with a lot of anecdotal stories that reinforce Light Watkin's E.A.S.Y. theory. It seems like a logical approach to meditating that I am excited to begin.
June 18, 2018
Borrowed this audiobook for a 14 hours flight. If you ever need convincing to take up meditation. Not exactly how to ...
January 10, 2019
This isn't a bad book, but it's more of a beginner's guide as the author says in the first chapters. The techniques presented in this book are super basic, and you can glean the same insights from reading books by monks (who are, arguably, better teachers of meditation than this author).
One of the main issues I have with this book specifically is that it offers some bad advice regarding form and posture. It's important that you're comfortable during meditation, but the author claims that it isn't necessary to sit up straight or endure any discomfort during a meditative experience. I would argue the opposite, because in my meditation practice, I have found that acknowledging and enduring the discomfort associated with sitting actually causes a deeper meditative state. This is a more Buddhist approach to meditation: By acknowledging, questioning, and subsequently observing the dissolution of pain, you acquire knowledge about the transitory nature of reality. In the long term, sitting with the correct posture is ultimately beneficial for your whole being. While it is not necessarily a requirement for "good" meditation, it is certainly conducive to letting go of tension and ensuring a certain state of awareness.
Other than that, the information presented in this book is pretty generic, and it can be found in a lot of other texts. The author includes some quirky attributes of transcendental meditation in his technique (ah ham), but these are certainly not required for you to become a good meditation practitioner. I would recommend books by Jack Kornfield and the Dalai Lama if you want to learn more about vipassana, as this would be the next step for someone who wants to read books about more intermediate-to-advanced meditation techniques.
One of the main issues I have with this book specifically is that it offers some bad advice regarding form and posture. It's important that you're comfortable during meditation, but the author claims that it isn't necessary to sit up straight or endure any discomfort during a meditative experience. I would argue the opposite, because in my meditation practice, I have found that acknowledging and enduring the discomfort associated with sitting actually causes a deeper meditative state. This is a more Buddhist approach to meditation: By acknowledging, questioning, and subsequently observing the dissolution of pain, you acquire knowledge about the transitory nature of reality. In the long term, sitting with the correct posture is ultimately beneficial for your whole being. While it is not necessarily a requirement for "good" meditation, it is certainly conducive to letting go of tension and ensuring a certain state of awareness.
Other than that, the information presented in this book is pretty generic, and it can be found in a lot of other texts. The author includes some quirky attributes of transcendental meditation in his technique (ah ham), but these are certainly not required for you to become a good meditation practitioner. I would recommend books by Jack Kornfield and the Dalai Lama if you want to learn more about vipassana, as this would be the next step for someone who wants to read books about more intermediate-to-advanced meditation techniques.
Read
January 24, 2018Ok...So I've recently (the past year or two) gotten into Yoga and Meditation and all that New Age-y stuff (although I draw the line at Naked Bonfire Dancing. Too unsanitary). The stuff I'm doing...it's all good. And a lot of it has actually worked. Especially the Yoga, being good for the body and mind. YAY! So when I saw this on the New Book Shelf on the way to my desk, I curiously picked it up to browse...maybe read.
I don't think I'll bother with this one.
Although it seems a lot of other Goodreaders have enjoyed this book, to me (on a first impression) it came across as pretty dry and boring. Over 200 pages of black and white text, no pictures, and, in fact no color at all. I may as well be flipping through a textbook assigned by a teacher who wants his or her students to fall asleep. In my opinion, a book on meditation should have lots of brightly-colored pictures, pull quotes in a different font, colorful sidebars, and other eye-catching characteristics. It should be visually appealing and give off a certain happy-hippie-feel good vibe (NOT a non dry and boring vibe). It should read like a meditation itself, and I should feel myself slipping into The Zone as I page through it. Maybe even come with a CD.
This was not what I think a book on meditation should be.
But I'm sure there's an App for that. Or ten thousand.
p.s. To be fair, I'm in a pretty bad reading rut...so am probably more harsh than I normally would be. I'm also basing my assessment on a quick browse. But on the other hand, shouldn't a book should GRAB you and make you want to read it? (Correct answer: Yes, it should!) So it's not ALL me.
I don't think I'll bother with this one.
Although it seems a lot of other Goodreaders have enjoyed this book, to me (on a first impression) it came across as pretty dry and boring. Over 200 pages of black and white text, no pictures, and, in fact no color at all. I may as well be flipping through a textbook assigned by a teacher who wants his or her students to fall asleep. In my opinion, a book on meditation should have lots of brightly-colored pictures, pull quotes in a different font, colorful sidebars, and other eye-catching characteristics. It should be visually appealing and give off a certain happy-hippie-feel good vibe (NOT a non dry and boring vibe). It should read like a meditation itself, and I should feel myself slipping into The Zone as I page through it. Maybe even come with a CD.
This was not what I think a book on meditation should be.
But I'm sure there's an App for that. Or ten thousand.
p.s. To be fair, I'm in a pretty bad reading rut...so am probably more harsh than I normally would be. I'm also basing my assessment on a quick browse. But on the other hand, shouldn't a book should GRAB you and make you want to read it? (Correct answer: Yes, it should!) So it's not ALL me.
June 12, 2022
I have been interested in meditation, mindfulness and learning to be in the moment for quite some time. I have been dealing with sleep issues and daily challenges of trying to quiet the monkey chatter of my busy brain, especially when trying to get to sleep or back to sleep. I have read numerous books self help books relating to mindfulness and meditation. Ever since I started practising yoga, I have become more interested in meditation and have even tried a few 21 day meditation challenges. I never seem to continue with meditation. Lately, I have consistently participated in a morning guided meditation, Daily Calm which has been fairly satisfying.
I subscribed to Light Watkins daily emails about a year ago.
Reading Bliss More has me excited and inspired! Bliss More resonated with me in so many ways. Light Watkins explains meditation in a way that's easy to follow...simple steps backed with scientific studies and his own experience and research. I enjoyed his delightful sense of humour, especially in the personal stories.
Mindfulness always felt contrived to me...Light's explanation makes sense..."Mindfulness is "a result of meditation." I now look forward to my daily meditation with optimism.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning how to meditate in a easy and comfortable way.
I subscribed to Light Watkins daily emails about a year ago.
Reading Bliss More has me excited and inspired! Bliss More resonated with me in so many ways. Light Watkins explains meditation in a way that's easy to follow...simple steps backed with scientific studies and his own experience and research. I enjoyed his delightful sense of humour, especially in the personal stories.
Mindfulness always felt contrived to me...Light's explanation makes sense..."Mindfulness is "a result of meditation." I now look forward to my daily meditation with optimism.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning how to meditate in a easy and comfortable way.
August 24, 2020
When I bought this book, I’d recently hit a meditation plateau and was feeling disillusioned with my unsatisfying meditation sessions. My mom had taken the Light Watkins online meditation class and recommended it for me, but I decided to go with the book as it was cheaper and taught the same meditation philosophy. I was skeptical as first, as most practitioners of other meditation styles likely are, but the EASY method has definitely helped me be less judgmental of my meditations and helped me achieve a settled mind on more than one occasion. The problem is, with a technique literally branded for being so simple, what do you fill an entire book with?
The first part of the book, the instructional part, was very helpful and interesting, but the second half I didn’t find much use in. It was mainly discussion-based, supporting various claims of the benefits of the EASY method with anecdotal evidence from practitioners. If you’re picking up a book on meditation, you likely don’t need to be convinced why you should meditate. I already agreed with all the claims made and felt this section was fairly redundant. I would’ve like the book more if it had focused more on the nuances of the technique and how to best apply it, and less on convincing me to try it.
The first part of the book, the instructional part, was very helpful and interesting, but the second half I didn’t find much use in. It was mainly discussion-based, supporting various claims of the benefits of the EASY method with anecdotal evidence from practitioners. If you’re picking up a book on meditation, you likely don’t need to be convinced why you should meditate. I already agreed with all the claims made and felt this section was fairly redundant. I would’ve like the book more if it had focused more on the nuances of the technique and how to best apply it, and less on convincing me to try it.
December 24, 2020
First off, there's no way to know whether the author's given name is a pun. If it's deliberate, I hate him. If it's not, I pity him, and it sucks that his birth name is Light, but when you're dealt that kind of hand I suppose you have to become a meditation guru.
That said, he's down-to-earth, for a guru. Watkins disavows the old, traditionalist machinery of meditation where you need to contort your body into the least comfortable positions available to maximize your Enlighteniness and really just compound the hell out your chi. Meditation is meditation, even if you're in a recliner with your dog in your lap. Just get comfortable and focus on not focusing on anything. Your mind will wander, that's fine. When it does, notice it, follow the thread of thought to its natural conclusion, and bring your focus back to your mantra (which for Light is a subverbal AHH-HUM sound) or your breath. Repeat for 10-minute increments, no more than twice a day.
Watkins peppers the book with personal anecdotes, like when he wussed out of going skinny dipping with four hotties back in his glory days. Really humanized the dude. A good book that makes meditation more approachable for people who aren't trying to be full-on Buddhas.
That said, he's down-to-earth, for a guru. Watkins disavows the old, traditionalist machinery of meditation where you need to contort your body into the least comfortable positions available to maximize your Enlighteniness and really just compound the hell out your chi. Meditation is meditation, even if you're in a recliner with your dog in your lap. Just get comfortable and focus on not focusing on anything. Your mind will wander, that's fine. When it does, notice it, follow the thread of thought to its natural conclusion, and bring your focus back to your mantra (which for Light is a subverbal AHH-HUM sound) or your breath. Repeat for 10-minute increments, no more than twice a day.
Watkins peppers the book with personal anecdotes, like when he wussed out of going skinny dipping with four hotties back in his glory days. Really humanized the dude. A good book that makes meditation more approachable for people who aren't trying to be full-on Buddhas.
October 28, 2019
Really enjoyed this! Read it based on a friend's recommendation, but it was definitely not the first (or probably last) meditation I read. But she said it made it easy for her to do, and I agree with that--it really breaks meditation down into a simple process, and the thesis is--don't overthink it. Don't force it. Get comfortable. And I honestly had to unlearn some of my bad habits that I'd read in other books that made me thinking (or trying not to think) about the thinking.
One of the biggest things was the commitment to meditate for at least 10 min every day. Not 1, not 5, but 10. I've never done it that long that consistently. I've done 40 days before, but then drifted away. But I'll say since I started reading, I've made it to 35 days (skipped last Saturday, which broke my streak--annoying!) and now I'm just starting over. 90 days is the goal. My friend asked if I noticed a difference--not necessarily, but I'm making it a priority every morning, so that's something. Like--it's become important and the first thing I do before I do anything out. Tiny habit, but i'm hoping it will make for big results.
Good, simple, very clear and easy to understand read. Good stuff.
One of the biggest things was the commitment to meditate for at least 10 min every day. Not 1, not 5, but 10. I've never done it that long that consistently. I've done 40 days before, but then drifted away. But I'll say since I started reading, I've made it to 35 days (skipped last Saturday, which broke my streak--annoying!) and now I'm just starting over. 90 days is the goal. My friend asked if I noticed a difference--not necessarily, but I'm making it a priority every morning, so that's something. Like--it's become important and the first thing I do before I do anything out. Tiny habit, but i'm hoping it will make for big results.
Good, simple, very clear and easy to understand read. Good stuff.
April 2, 2019
I listened to this one and honestly was not sold on it at the beginning, but I am so glad I stuck with it.
I have picked up so many books on meditation in bookstores and never walked away with any because I generally find them either overwhelming with heavy science, (and I don't need more of these books piling up), way to religious, or appear to be a super strict 2000 step instruction guide on how to meditate, which doesn't feel achievable for me, or any human being I know!
This book ended up being exactly what I was looking for in a meditation book.
It has the perfect mix of spiritual, science, and instruction without any of them being overwhelming.
The instruction side is simple to follow and pick up, in fact it is literally called the "EASY" approach, and also goes into good detail about what you might think you are doing wrong/right in your practice and how it's probably the opposite.
I definitely plan on revisiting this in a few months after some practice to take in some more of it.
I have picked up so many books on meditation in bookstores and never walked away with any because I generally find them either overwhelming with heavy science, (and I don't need more of these books piling up), way to religious, or appear to be a super strict 2000 step instruction guide on how to meditate, which doesn't feel achievable for me, or any human being I know!
This book ended up being exactly what I was looking for in a meditation book.
It has the perfect mix of spiritual, science, and instruction without any of them being overwhelming.
The instruction side is simple to follow and pick up, in fact it is literally called the "EASY" approach, and also goes into good detail about what you might think you are doing wrong/right in your practice and how it's probably the opposite.
I definitely plan on revisiting this in a few months after some practice to take in some more of it.
December 22, 2018
I read this book because I was looking for a way to elevate my meditation practice - and it did. Prior to this book, I had been meditating daily but could not fathom the idea of meditating without a timer or a phone. Thanks to Watkins' approachable meditation method, combined with his creative way of explaining it, I no longer rely on a timer to meditate and now find timer-free meditation more freeing.
Some of his personal anecdotes and that of others also resonated with me. For example, his story about how meditation helped him and his ex realize that they should no longer date (as opposed to prolonging the relationship as most people may believe) was eye-opening and made me go ah-ha! Another story about the insomniac also resonated. I used to only fall asleep easily on buses like the insomniac - it's interesting to see how you're not alone on this journey.
Some of his personal anecdotes and that of others also resonated with me. For example, his story about how meditation helped him and his ex realize that they should no longer date (as opposed to prolonging the relationship as most people may believe) was eye-opening and made me go ah-ha! Another story about the insomniac also resonated. I used to only fall asleep easily on buses like the insomniac - it's interesting to see how you're not alone on this journey.
February 12, 2018
Simplified yet meaningful method for developing a meditative life
I first meditated at an ancient Buddhist temple in Sapporo, Japan, where you cover your hair and are slapped on the shoulder every few minutes to "awaken" you if you should fall asleep during the meditation. A part of that experience was magical, however for me it mostly made me focus too heavily on my "monkey mind" and confused my understanding of how to sustain my own meditation practice (away from a temple or shrine). There are so many wonderful traditions of meditation practice but it can be confusing to sort through them and figure out how to apply them with real world meaningful impact. Light Watkins book makes it EASY and applicable to western world reality in vibrant and fun language.
I first meditated at an ancient Buddhist temple in Sapporo, Japan, where you cover your hair and are slapped on the shoulder every few minutes to "awaken" you if you should fall asleep during the meditation. A part of that experience was magical, however for me it mostly made me focus too heavily on my "monkey mind" and confused my understanding of how to sustain my own meditation practice (away from a temple or shrine). There are so many wonderful traditions of meditation practice but it can be confusing to sort through them and figure out how to apply them with real world meaningful impact. Light Watkins book makes it EASY and applicable to western world reality in vibrant and fun language.
October 1, 2021
This book seemed like a condescending sales pitch, for Watkin’s particular brand of meditation, the entire way through. The level of denigration to other forms of meditation is gobsmacking. Light Watkin’s encourages people to meditate in a comfortable position, UNLESS that position happens to be one in which the author himself is not comfortable, then that particular position isn’t comfortable, it’s wrong. Definitely a book to skip. I would recommend instead Passage Meditation, by Eknath Easwaran.
July 8, 2020
I found this book thru an Instagram post by Light for a 21 day blissmore challenge. Being on vacation, it seemed the perfect opportunity. 21 days later I’m still at it and looking forward to my meditations every day. Light has done a great job of writing in a conversational tone so you are able to grasp the method and feel challenged, but at the same time encouraged and inspired. The world needs more bliss and here’s the way to do your part.
October 29, 2021
Just a great way for me to hopefully get into meditation again and get some bliss. Watkins approaches meditation in a completely different way including embracing thoughts that come as part of the practice (which up until now I have been told to suppress or stay away from them). I am very much inspired to see how using Watkin's E.A.S.Y method will work for me and I would highly recommend this book to everyone.
October 9, 2018
Meh. Just okay.
January 8, 2019
I did really like this book, which could probably best be considered as a primer. Its most tangible benefits so far have been that I'm a) regularly meditating and b) I've actually been enjoying every one of my meditations, which is a real first for me. Light's E.A.S.Y. approach has caused me to seriously question the meditation orthodoxy that I've absorbed from other teachers and books over the years. For one thing, the first and central tenet to Light's approach is that meditation needs to be physically relaxing and comfortable, meaning that laying down is absolutely fine. I've laid down on the floor with a folded up blanket under my head for every session so far, and I have to say I prefer it immensely to sitting practice. You can't have real meditation with chronic straining and tension, and you certainly can't have bliss while your body is in agony. I also like that Light's approach uses a settling sound (just a generic vedic mantra) that happens to work very well for me for the stated purpose. I also really like that his approach emphasizes very modest sitting times and a layperson's goals in life: each sitting should be 10-20 minutes and no more (although it won't kill you if you over-meditate), and you should meditate at least once every day and no more than twice a day. That's a very different approach from mandating that you have to sit at attention for 40 minutes at a time twice a day, and it seems to be working much better than the latter set of expectations. In addition, the goals that meditation addresses are concrete - kitchen table issues, as he called them in a 10% Happier podcast episode with Dan Harris -, and not immediately lofty spiritual goals. It's not that nirvana is off the table, but that's an end-game if anything; the first order of business is to improve your basic mental and physical health, and to help you to function a little better in your daily life. Light's philosophy does stray perilously close to productivity porn at times, but importantly he never mentions meditation in the context of meditation helping you to accomplish more at work in less time. He compares a daily meditation practice to brushing your teeth in the morning (I don't he's the first to use that analogy), which tells you a lot about the advantages and limitations of the E.A.S.Y. method: it's simple, portable, and effective for most people's real lives, but it probably isn't going to be the method you use if you decide to explore the jhanas or strive for liberation. Then again, his stated goal is not in line with monastic goals. This isn't monasticism for the layperson, and that's actually something about the E.A.S.Y. method that greatly appeals to me.
One thing that I am curious about, and which he doesn't delve into as much as I would like, are the differences between mainstream mindfulness and his method, which is an offshoot of TM (transcendental meditation). Mindfulness meditation emphasizes paying attention to everything, good or bad, and developing the quality of awareness in your sittings; Light's method emphasizes, in contrast, ease and relaxation and actually allowing your mind to run free. Your awareness eventually dials down and turns off for the period of the meditation. So, it's easy to see how his method promotes rest and relaxation, which is key, but I don't see how it promotes awareness, which is also key to recognizing and dissolving patterns of behavior. He does talk about, for example, the increasing frequency of what he calls 'cognitions' with a regular meditation practice - intuitive leaps that effortlessly come about. The principle there seems to be that a rested and refreshed mind will run itself well, without the need for conscious attention being paid to every experience. He actually does mention a shortcoming of mindfulness practice in connection with that, in that it selects certain facets of experience to pay attention to and excludes the rest -this produces a fragmented awareness, even if it is focused.
I am also very interested in the different effects of different mantras, which he mentions earlier in the book but doesn't go into detail about. I've read about that principle before, that certain mantras are really intended for certain purposes, and that not just any mantra will do - they each have their own particular energetic effects and will lead to different outcomes. I'm skeptical, but also chronically intrigued by that notion. For example, I read elsewhere that probably the most well-known mantra in the world, 'Om', is great and works well for use in groups, but that it will cause the practitioner to tend towards asceticism and pursuit of ultimate, spiritual goals. It's not really for householders or those who want to pursue worldly goals, such as a career or romantic relationships.
All in all, a useful, concise, and cheap read (I got it for free on kindle with gift points I had accumulated). I'm extraordinarily picky about which titles I award five stars to, but this one certainly merits four stars, and really more like four and a half.
One thing that I am curious about, and which he doesn't delve into as much as I would like, are the differences between mainstream mindfulness and his method, which is an offshoot of TM (transcendental meditation). Mindfulness meditation emphasizes paying attention to everything, good or bad, and developing the quality of awareness in your sittings; Light's method emphasizes, in contrast, ease and relaxation and actually allowing your mind to run free. Your awareness eventually dials down and turns off for the period of the meditation. So, it's easy to see how his method promotes rest and relaxation, which is key, but I don't see how it promotes awareness, which is also key to recognizing and dissolving patterns of behavior. He does talk about, for example, the increasing frequency of what he calls 'cognitions' with a regular meditation practice - intuitive leaps that effortlessly come about. The principle there seems to be that a rested and refreshed mind will run itself well, without the need for conscious attention being paid to every experience. He actually does mention a shortcoming of mindfulness practice in connection with that, in that it selects certain facets of experience to pay attention to and excludes the rest -this produces a fragmented awareness, even if it is focused.
I am also very interested in the different effects of different mantras, which he mentions earlier in the book but doesn't go into detail about. I've read about that principle before, that certain mantras are really intended for certain purposes, and that not just any mantra will do - they each have their own particular energetic effects and will lead to different outcomes. I'm skeptical, but also chronically intrigued by that notion. For example, I read elsewhere that probably the most well-known mantra in the world, 'Om', is great and works well for use in groups, but that it will cause the practitioner to tend towards asceticism and pursuit of ultimate, spiritual goals. It's not really for householders or those who want to pursue worldly goals, such as a career or romantic relationships.
All in all, a useful, concise, and cheap read (I got it for free on kindle with gift points I had accumulated). I'm extraordinarily picky about which titles I award five stars to, but this one certainly merits four stars, and really more like four and a half.
October 6, 2022
This started off OK, but got a bit bored and it started to get a bit too spritual for my taste. Didn't actually finish which is rare for me.
December 18, 2022
Just found it a bit boring…
February 14, 2021
Bliss More is a mixture of being a guide book for how one goes about meditating and also a motivational treatise to get you started or encourage you to continue in a habit of daily meditation. The author with the enigmatic name of Light Watkins is a well established meditation teacher from the USA.
Light states up front that this book is primarily geared towards beginners to the discipline of meditation and also for people that have struggled with meditation techniques with no or just limited success, although he also states that some people well accustomed already to successful meditation routines may glean some useful insights in this book also.
I’ve tried meditation in the past, unsuccessfully it must be said, and I have never formed a regular habit, so I felt that I was an ideal audience for this book. So my review is subjective in that respect.
The book is presented in 2 parts, of which the first can be further subdivided into two other sub-sections.
First Light gives an introduction and explanation regarding his own history of how he got into meditation, his own struggles and scepticism to the discipline, how he reached a turning point that eventually led him to meditation success and then eventually how he ended up becoming a meditation teacher.
Then he presents and explains his straight forward, E.A.S.Y. method to meditation. It’s very well explained and while the basic method is divulged to the reader in a single chapter, subsequent chapters then build upon this basic knowledge and further clarify the process and describe potential difficulties that a learner may experience and advises one how to get through these obstacles successfully to lead to successful meditation.
I did like Light’s honesty in telling the reader that meditation is no magic bullet to dispel all of life’s problems, just another tool in the human arsenal to help us be – to paraphrase – become better versions of ourselves. Please don’t let that turn you off, he builds up his proposals and arguments in a logical, sincere and humble manner.
The second part of the book contains much anecdotal evidence and reports from past students about how meditation has helped them in their daily lives. I’m always a bit of a sceptic regarding these kinds of assertions, so I’ll reserve my judgement until sometime in the future if I succeed in forming a regular and successful meditation habit and see any benefits for myself.
However, it was an inspiring narrative overall, I enjoyed his no-nonsense simple approach, clear explanations and positive motivational outlook. I feel this is a nicely put together book, and would think that I will certainly be referring to it again. It certainly has motivated me to try meditating regularly. For anyone who wants to get started in meditation, I would highly recommend this book.
Light states up front that this book is primarily geared towards beginners to the discipline of meditation and also for people that have struggled with meditation techniques with no or just limited success, although he also states that some people well accustomed already to successful meditation routines may glean some useful insights in this book also.
I’ve tried meditation in the past, unsuccessfully it must be said, and I have never formed a regular habit, so I felt that I was an ideal audience for this book. So my review is subjective in that respect.
The book is presented in 2 parts, of which the first can be further subdivided into two other sub-sections.
First Light gives an introduction and explanation regarding his own history of how he got into meditation, his own struggles and scepticism to the discipline, how he reached a turning point that eventually led him to meditation success and then eventually how he ended up becoming a meditation teacher.
Then he presents and explains his straight forward, E.A.S.Y. method to meditation. It’s very well explained and while the basic method is divulged to the reader in a single chapter, subsequent chapters then build upon this basic knowledge and further clarify the process and describe potential difficulties that a learner may experience and advises one how to get through these obstacles successfully to lead to successful meditation.
I did like Light’s honesty in telling the reader that meditation is no magic bullet to dispel all of life’s problems, just another tool in the human arsenal to help us be – to paraphrase – become better versions of ourselves. Please don’t let that turn you off, he builds up his proposals and arguments in a logical, sincere and humble manner.
The second part of the book contains much anecdotal evidence and reports from past students about how meditation has helped them in their daily lives. I’m always a bit of a sceptic regarding these kinds of assertions, so I’ll reserve my judgement until sometime in the future if I succeed in forming a regular and successful meditation habit and see any benefits for myself.
However, it was an inspiring narrative overall, I enjoyed his no-nonsense simple approach, clear explanations and positive motivational outlook. I feel this is a nicely put together book, and would think that I will certainly be referring to it again. It certainly has motivated me to try meditating regularly. For anyone who wants to get started in meditation, I would highly recommend this book.
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